These findings demonstrate that magnetic resonance imaging of the brain’s grey matter structures is useful for the evaluation of Parkinson’s disease.

Investigators say this technology can predict which patients with Parkinson’s disease will experience long-term cognitive decline or develop dementia in the future. Close to 80% of Parkinson’s patients develop dementia as the disease progresses.

“Diagnostic tests like this can help us determine which patients would benefit from future clinical trials of medications aiming to stave off or prevent dementia progression in Parkinson’s disease,” the study’s lead author, Daniel Weintraub, M.D., said.